Bedspread holder or the like

ABSTRACT

A device for holding a folded bedspread or serving as a clothing valet for draping clothing thereon having two substantially Ushaped frame members pivotably connected to each other at their ends, and means for holding or locking one of the frame members in a first position. One frame member extends between a mattress and box-spring and the other frame member is movable between the first position and second position wherein it extends out of the way beneath the box-spring when not in use.

Q United States Patent 91 [111 3,885,256 Du' Boff May 27, 1975 BEDSPREADHOLDER OR THE LIKE [75 Inventor: Philip L. Du Boff, Clifton, NJ. jgxghigfi [73] Assignee: Shelfmaker Products Corporation, An m A nt, orFirm-Lilling & Siegel Kearny, NJ. [22] Filed: June 14, 1973 [57]ABSTRACT [21] Appl. No.: 369,811 A device for holding a folded bedspreador serving as a clothing valet for draping clothing thereon having twosubstantially U-shaped frame members pivotably [2?] $8.31" 56:3,connected to each other at their ends, and means for d g 1 O 0 holdingor locking one of the frame members in a first [5 1 0 can I position.One frame member extends between a mattress and box-spring and the otherframe member is [56] References cued movable between the first positionand second posi- UNITED STATES PATENTS tion wherein it extends out ofthe way beneath the 1,067,060 7/1913 Pierce 5/318 box-spring when not inuse. 1,577,089 3/1926 Whitford 5/319 2,676,340 4/1954 Garriott et al.5/319 7 Clam, 7 Drawmg Flgures PATENTED Z 3,885,256

7 SHEET EU? 2 BEDSPREAD HOLDER OR THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIt is well known in the art to construct collapsible bedspread holders,such as the type disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3.435,469. However, it willbe appreciated that such devices and others heretofore available in themarket have not been generally widely accepted inasmuch as they arerelatively complex and generally require more involved mechanicalmechanisms or arrangements of parts in order to function properly whenin use. A further disadvantage of such prior art constructions is thatthey are heavy and relatively expensive to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, a primary object of thepresent invention to provide a uniquely advantageous bedspread holder orthe like of a construction of a type which is readily adapted formanufacture and assembly, and is capable of being fabricated at minimalexpense, and which otherwise overcomes the above-mentioned difficultiesof the prior art.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bedspread holderor the like having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in thepreceding paragraphs, which is extremely simple in structure, durableand reliable throughout its useful life, and one which is capable ofeconomic manufacture and assembly to effect substantial savings in cost.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a bedspreadholder or the like comprising substantially two lightweight elements orframe members, one of which extends between the mattress and box-spring,and the other of which is moved alternately between first and secondpositions.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide anoff-set on one of the members which serves to support the bedspread soas to provide clearance from the end edge of the bed.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent upon reading the following specification and referring to theaccompanying drawings, which forms a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of constructions,combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which thescope will be indicated by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showingthe bedspread holder or the like constructed in accordance with theteachings of the present invention, and parts thereon. are indicated indot dash lines so as to illustrate the invention as actually used when afirst frame member is inserted between a mattress and box-spring;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view taken along the line 2-2of FIG. 1 and showing the first frame member disposed between themattress and boxspring;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view along the line 33 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view along the line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view similar to that of FIG. 2, butillustrating the second frame member in a second position;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the component parts ofthe pivoted connection between the ends of the two frame members; and

FIG. 7 is a fragementary side elevational view of the bedspread holdershown in connection with a mattress and box-spring, and illustrating thesecond frame member retracted to a second position wherein it projectsbeneath the box-spring so as to be out of the way when not in use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now more particularlyto the drawings, and specifically to FIGS. 1-5 thereof, a bedspreadholder or the like is generally designated as 10 and includes a pair offrame elements having a sustantially U-shape or configuration, and suchframe elements are designated as 12 and 14. The substantially U-shapedframe members 12 and 14 are pivoted at their ends, as will be describedhereinafter in greater detail. These frame members may be made of anysuitable material, such as, tubular stock, rod material, or even flatmaterial. However, it is desirable to construct the devices from hollowtubular stock material, such as lightweight aluminum tubing whichpreferably is of cylindrical construction, although square tubularconstruction would also be suitable.

As best s'hown in FIGS. 1 and 7, a first frame member 12 having a yokeor connecting portion 13 is inserted between a mattress 16 and itscompanion box-spring 18, as is usual with todays common footboardlessbeds. The length of the legs 20, 22 connecting the yoke 13 and formingthe first frame member 12 are of a sufficient length such that thedevice 10 is adequately held in a fixed position, both when the same isin use, as illustrated in FIG. 1 or when it is not in use as illustratedin FIG. 7. In the illustration of FIG. I, a bedspread 24 is shown in dotdash lines as being suspended from the yoke or connecting element 26 ofthe second substantially U-shaped frame member 14. Suitable legs 28, 30are connected at their ends to the legs 20, 22, of the first U-shapedframe member 12.

The yoke orconnecting element 26 of the second substantially U-shapedframe member 14 is suitably offset from the legs 28, 30 so as to providesufficient clearance room between the end edge of the bed therebyenabling a bedspread 24 to be easily draped over the yoke member 26without interfering with the end edge of the bed or with the feet of anindividual lying on the bed. Of course, such offset arrangement may besuitably accomplished by providing a bend, of say an acute angle in suchframe member. In operation, it is preferred to employ a substantiallyright angle bend in the legs 28, 30 so that the yoke member 26 and theportions 29, 31 of said legs 28, 30 reside in a plane substantiallyperpendicular to the plane formed by the legs 28, 30.

Considering now in detail the ends of the substantially U-shaped frameelements, and as best shown in FIGS. 2-6, all of the ends of the legmembers are provided with cooperating interfitting pivot elements whichincludes means for maintaining or locking one of the frame members in afirst position for holding or storing the bedspread when not in use, andretracting a frame member to another or second position wherein thesecond frame member 14 projects beneath the boxspring'so as to be out ofthe way when not in use. In this respect, FIG. 7 illustrates the offsetyoke element 26 positioned beneath the bed frame 32 supporting themattress and box-spring I6, 18 respectively. Means pivoting the secondframe member 14 with respect to the first frame member 12 comprises aboss-like member 34 having flat side walls 36, 38 and such boss-likeelement extends inwardly from the ends of the leg members 20, 22 suchthat the flat sides 36, 38 are suitably vertically disposed. An aperture40 is provided through such ends of the legs 20, 22 and such boss-likeelement 34 cooperates with a key hole type of recess 42 provided in theends of the legs 28, of the second frame member 14.

The key hole shaped recess 42 is provided with a cooperativelyassociated upper portion forming substantially fiat side walls 44, 46which cooperate together with the side walls 36, 38 of the boss-likeelement 34. Such ends of the legs 28, 30 are also provided with anaperture forming a through slot 48 for passage of suitable pin means 50which is used in turn to loosely fasten together the ends of the framemembers 12, 14. As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a pin 50 is providedwith suitable washer 52 and nut 54 for pivotably securing said ends ofthe frame members together.

In operation, the second substantially U-shaped frame member 14 is heldin a first upward vertical position when the boss-like element 34 ispositioned between the flat side wall surfaces, 44, 46 of the upperportion of the key hole shaped recess 42. When the second substantiallyU-shaped frame member 14 is to be retracted to its second positionbeneath the box-spring, it must be lifted upwardly so as to position theboss-like element 34 within the lower recessed portion of the key holeshaped recess 42, thereby enabling the second frame member 14 to bepivoted about the pin means 50. This second substantially U-shaped framemember 14 rotates substantially freely and readily so that it iscompletely out of the way when not in use.

In effect, the pivoting means includes a lock so that the frame members12, 14 are fixedly retained in position when the boss-like element 34resides within the upper recess portion of the key hole like recess 42.Upon withdrawal of the bossalike element 34 by lifting of the secondframe member 14, the frame member 14 is then free to rotate about thepin means 50 to any position, such as the lower most position it is freeto take due to gravity acting upon a freely pivotable member suspendedabout a suitable pivot axis.

It will be recognized that the device of the present invention is sodesigned that it is completely out of the way when not in use so thatthere are no extensions, or protuberances which would obstruct a userwhen making a bed or in using same. Further, when in use, the apparatusextends a relatively short distance beyond the foot of the bod so as notto interfere with convenient passage around the foot of the bed. Thus,the invention affords certain benefits in that it provides for theutilization of otherwise ususable space and furthermore provides forstoring means and facilitates for the storing of a bedspread when not inuse without the necessity of taking up additional floor space or wallspace in ones bedroom. In a like manner, an alternate use for theinvention may be to serve as a clothing valet,

namely to serve for draping clothing at the foot of the bed in the samemanner that a bedspread may be draped as illustrated in FIG. 1 of thedrawings.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention providesa bedspread holder or the like which is well adapted for manufacture andassembly, is extremely simple and reliable in construction, andeconomical in cost and which otherwise fully accomplishes its intendedobjects.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by wayof illustration and example for purposes clarity of understanding, it isexpressly understood that certain changes nd modifications may be madewithin the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A holder for holding a bedspread and the like adapted to be used witha mattress and box-spring comprising: first and second U-shaped framemembers each having a pair of legs pivotable connected to each other atthe ends of said legs, and means comprising interfitting elements oneach of the ends of said first and second frame members, for holding oneof said frame members in a first position with respect to said otherframe member, said first frame member when in use being adapted to bedisposed at the end of a bed between said mattress and said box-spring,and said second frame member is free to pivot about the ends of saidfirst frame member, the central portion of said second frame memberconnecting said pair of legs forming said U-shaped frame is offset bymeans of an angular bend in said second U-shaped frame member, saidcentral portion of said second frame member being adapted to store saidbedspread of the like by the draping of same over said central portionwithout interfering with the end edge of said bed or with the feet ofone lying on said bed; said interfitting elements comprising, recessedmeans in the form of a keyhole type of recess having a generallycircular recess and an intercepting rectangular recess, and including anelongated slot in said pair of legs of one of said frame elements, andboss-like means having a substantially flat-sided projection protrudingfrom the ends of said other pair of legs of said other frame element andincluding an aperture centrally passing therethrough; and pin meansmaintaining said ends of said legs of said frame elements pivotablyconnected together.

2. The holder according to claim 1, wherein said angular bend is anacute angle.

3. The holder according to claim 3, wherein said angular bend issubstantially a angle.

4. The holder according to claim 1, wherein said frame members comprisesubstantially hollow tubular stock material.

5. The holder according to claim 4, wherein said tubular stock materialis substantially cylindrical in section.

6. The holder according to claim 1, wherein said fiat sided projectionsare cooperatively associated with said rectangular recesses for holdingone of said frame members in a substantially vertically disposedposition.

7. The holder according to claim 1, wherein said flat sided projectionsare cooperatively associated with said circular recesses for enablingsaid frame members to be pivotably connected to each other. =l=

1. A holder for holding a bedspread and the like adapted to be used witha mattress and box-spring comprising: first and second U-shaped framemembers each having a pair of legs pivotable connected to each other atthe ends of said legs, and means comprising interfitting elements oneach of the ends of said first and second frame members, for holding oneof said frame members in a first position with respect to said otherframe member, said first frame member when in use being adapted to bedisposed at the end of a bed between said mattress and said boxspring,and said second frame member is free to pivot about the ends of saidfirst frame member, the central portion of said second frame memberconnecting said pair of legs forming said Ushaped frame is offset bymeans of an angular bend in said second U-shaped frame member, saidcentral portion of said second frame member being adapted to store saidbedspread of the like by the draping of same over said central portionwithout interfering with the end edge of said bed or with the feet ofone lying on said bed; said interfitting elements comprising, recessedmeans in the form of a keyhole type of recess having a generallycircular recess and an intercepting rectangular recess, and including anelongated slot in said pair of legs of one of said frame elements, andboss-like means having a substantially flatsided projection protrudingfrom the ends of said other pair of legs of said other frame element andincluding an aperture centrally passing therethrough; and pin meansmaintaining said ends of said legs of said frame elements pivotablyconnected together.
 2. The holder according to claim 1, wherein saidangular bend is an acute angle.
 3. The holder according to claim 3,wherein said angular bend is substantially a 90* angle.
 4. The holderaccording to claim 1, wherein said frame members comprise substantiallyhollow tubular stock material.
 5. The holder according to claim 4,wherein said tubular stock material is substantially cylindrical insection.
 6. The holder according to claim 1, wherein said flat sidedprojections are cooperatively associated with said rectangular recessesfor holding one of said frame members in a substantially verticallydisposed position.
 7. The holder according to claim 1, wherein said flatsided projections are cooperatively associated with said circularrecesses for enabling said frame members to be pivotably connected toeach other.